Love: How It Can Heal You

“What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly.” --Richard Bach

In the beginning and in the end, I believe there is and always will be love. In my Healing Touch Series, I have shared my personal journey on the discovery of my gift in healing. My perceptions have been defined and redefined as my mind began to take on new ways of thinking and understanding flowed in mighty streams of consciousness.

It is my belief that love is the most powerful force behind all of life. It is the reason why I exist, who I am and why I do the things I do. It is the one that motivates me to reach out and assist another in his/her journey to healing and living a life of joy.

I believe love will heal you...just as it had healed me.

Love creates spaces for us to grow.

Each individual needs different kinds of spaces in order to bloom. Some people need places where they can attend to the needs of others; some needs space where they can be quiet and alone while others want to be in the company of people most of the time. Some enjoy being in places where they can exercise their creativity; some love the thrill of an adventure while others love to work in a structured environment.

Whatever space you need at the moment, it is important to remember that love recognizes and respects that we may need something differently. Watch and observe yourself or those around you.

In what type of places are you thriving? Sometimes we feel we are in the right place and sometimes not. If we are, we feel wonderful. If we are not, trouble is brewing in the air and we may need to find that space where we can grow the most.

"We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves." --Buddha

Love generates a positive energy field that uplifts, supports and encourages.

Do you recall an experience in your life when someone looked at you with so much gentleness and love? Or how about the exact opposite? Yes they looked at you (and sometimes they couldn’t even look at you) but it is full of disappointment, anger or frustration. How did that make you feel?

I have come to acknowledge that we live in a world where opposites abound. And yet to be surrounded with positive energy is the one that uplifts, supports and encourages. It nourishes the soul as the sun gives warmth to the earth.

I’ve had my share of negativity and pain in my life. And looking back, I am deeply grateful for the people that God had sent and continues to send my way. People who loved me. They come in many forms – a beloved grandma, a guidance counselor, a best friend, an ex-boyfriend, a spiritual partner, sisters in my community, a mentor; even those I barely know, a taxi driver, a writer, a stranger on the elevator and the list goes on.

In those moments, I basked in their acceptance of me, their being there for me, and their encouragement and belief in me. The words they speak brought me up after a fall, hope during times of despair and laughter and light to keep me moving in my journey. There are indeed many angels among us.

"Laughter and love of life are the best tools for experiencing joy." -- Michelle Simtoco

Love allows you to enjoy what is.

The grass is always greener on the other side, some people might say. Until you just stop moaning over the fact that your life is so miserable only then can you see that your own garden is full of beauty as well.

Several years ago, I remember that time I stood in the roof overwhelmed by the responsibilities of running a preschool; added to that was the feeling of aloneness since I was without support from those that I needed it badly. I shouted all my anger and frustration at the world for being so unfair, seemingly cruel, and full of despair.

I do not hate myself for going through all that because now I have moved beyond my pain and allowed myself to enjoy what is. To accept and enjoy all of what is there in my life, no exceptions. I now take the time to savor each moment, to live and enjoy the present moment. Love and honor for life, for others and myself have grown tremendously with this acceptance.

Love focuses on the beauty of the process of your unfolding and discovery.

The world is in a hurry. We seem to be running after time or time is running after us. But I have come to realize that love focuses on the process of becoming. That if we really take the time to marvel at our unfolding, wow, each moment becomes a moment of grace. We would look at ourselves and others very differently. We would be more patient because we know that each of us is growing in the pace that we have chosen. We would be thankful for all the minute details that comprise the bigger picture. And life would be full of endless discoveries and opportunities.

Love builds a bridge back to yourself.

One day several years ago, I discovered my head had two big, smooth, bald patches on it. I was starting to get sick and I didn’t know it. That experience taught me the value of loving myself.

There has been a lot of debates regarding the topic of loving the self. Some would advocate that loving the self is being selfish while others feel loving the self should come last in your list of whom to love. I have learned that if I don’t even start to love myself, I wouldn't know how to genuinely love others. If I don’t practice compassion, understanding and acceptance of myself, I will have a hard time being compassionate, understanding and accepting of others as well.

I have learned to be gentle and forgiving of myself. And in the process of loving, I have discovered the joy of seeing myself view others in a more positive and kinder way. I am joyful when I see that I am responding to situtations and events in a better way too.

So I invite you to allow love to build a bridge back to yourself. After that, you can start building bridges to other people’s hearts.

“To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance” - Oscar Wilde

Love heals.

In my friendship with God, I have been surrounded by His gentleness and love. No matter how much I pushed Him away, He never stopped loving me. The day I realized that no matter what I was going to do...that He will continue to love me anyway, I stopped resisting and decided to accept His unconditional love. That changed my whole world.

And so I started to heal. I knew then that if God could love us that way, I was in the best place. I knew then that He would send me the right people to help me in my journey. And they always come in the right time. He didn’t rob me of my pain because I needed to grow and learn from each and every experience. I learned to stop being in a hurry “to get on and finish life” but rather enjoy each moment and welcome new discoveries. I’ve build my bridge back to myself. And so I am able to tell you as sincerely as I can that it is true. Love heals.

Comments

No HTML is allowed in comments, but URLs will be hyperlinked. Comments are not for promoting your articles or other sites.

sending

Mika Laine 6 years ago

Love is a hypothetical construct with many interpretations and many dimensions. Social attachment is an essential component of love and understanding how an attachment forms and is maintained is the subject of much current research in the field of neurobiology. In fact, social neuroscience is now a newly established subdiscipline. Love and social attachments are usually involved in reproduction but it is also involved in a sense of safety and reduction in anxiety. Brain reward pathways are of particular interest.

BIKTMIA 8 years ago

Really nice site. Great.

Josiah A Olunlade 8 years ago

Love hold the world together, without it God will have destroyed the world and the world will have been in desteray, love is beautiful, I love those who love other love is better than hatered. thanks for making the world remmeber their creator for God is love he who love is immitating God, and God loves those who love others.

Author

Michelle Simtoco 8 years agofrom Cebu, Philippines

Taichichuan: That is a wonderful compliment you have given me sir. It made me smile thinking of the words flowing like a gentle stream and it made me visualize a wonderful image in my mind. Keep loving and sharing your love. :)

Taichichuan 8 years ago

I really liked the way you have written all this. It was going like a gentle stream. I think some people are too much lost with mental chatterings and mental walls. At the end they do not know any more the sense of the words. I have read in a dictionnary that "love" in Latin was "amor" and this word is built that way : "a"(without) and "mors"(death). I think it speaks by itself.

Carry on your nice work.

Author

Michelle Simtoco 9 years agofrom Cebu, Philippines

Hi solarcaptain, I am deeply humbled and joyful of the chance to inspire people. Thank you so much for your kind words. They uplift me and encourage me to keep on spreading ripples of love. Thank you very much for reading and commenting.

Blessings to you sir,

Michelle

mike king 9 years agofrom california

Your pages are so inspiring. Whatever anyone has lost, they can certainly get it back by reading your writing. You are a heavyweight walk in from another planet, more advanced, category, but definitely not from here. I believe there are special people sent from God to harvest similar others to spread the message.

Thank you mk

Author

Michelle Simtoco 9 years agofrom Cebu, Philippines

Hi Constant Walker, that is a thought provoking question. Hmmm maybe some caterpillars believe they are dying while some believe they are in the process of cocooning (as you describe it to be)...knowing they are undergoing a certain process and evolving. That speaks a lot about our awareness and where we are right now.

Keep loving and God will come alive through you :-) Thanks for the insights.

Constant Walker 9 years agofrom Springfield, Oregon

Good stuff, RM. I really like the caterpillar analogy. Do you think the caterpillar believes he is dieing, or does he know he's cocooning?

Hi Research Analyst and C.S. Alexis, may love continue to inspire us in our lives! Alleluia! :-) Have a love-filled lifetime!

Hi Lgali, happy holidays to you too. God is love and so love is God. :-) I like that.

Hi Compu-smart, I wish the same for you...a wonderful Christmas filled with so much love.

Compu-Smart 9 years agofrom London UK

Hiya Ripplemaker, As always another great hub explaining how the power of love has helped you and can really help others ...As always, you have giving me soo much to think about and lots of encouragement for changing things for the better this new year

:)

Wishing you avery merry and wondeful lovely Christmas:)

Lgali 9 years ago

Very nice truly inspiring hub

LOVE is GOD....

Wish you all happy holidays

Author

Michelle Simtoco 9 years agofrom Cebu, Philippines

Hi ForReal, your words reminded me a lot about what I felt too - about it being a constant battle. But it's great to know you have a wonderful and supportive family. That will help you in your journey. :-) Take care....

Hi Dottie, I guess whenever I look back I am in utter amazement and wonder. I wouldn't have been able to do it without the love and care from those around me (which made God's love pretty real). We walk on holy ground and it is grace. Thank you for being with me in my journey Sis Dottie. :-)

C.S.Alexis 9 years agofrom NW Indiana

It is all about the LOVE. This hub is inspirational to all who read it, thanks for sharing.

Research Analyst 9 years ago

Very well written and this time of year, more people should seek ways to be loving in the way they treat others. Thanks! for the uplifting and motivational hub.

Dottie1 9 years agofrom MA, USA

Hi Michelle. Thank you for sharing your heart in your beautiful journey to healing. I have enjoyed every moment of it and have learned so much through your words. I love what you say; "if we really take the time to marvel at our unfolding, each moment becomes a moment of grace". Wow, that is so beautiful sis. Thanks :)

ForReal511 9 years agofrom Fort Lauderdale, FL

This is very true. Even today, my family was telling me the importance of why I should love myself and think successful thoughts, rather than taking an easier road that isn't necessarily good for me. It is a constant battle for me, for whatever reason. I don't like it about myself, and I really do want to change. I know God is the main One to be able to help me here. Thanks for this hub :)

Author

Michelle Simtoco 9 years agofrom Cebu, Philippines

You are most welcome VioletSun :-)

SweetiePie, I too was enchanted by the photos of the two little girls with paint splashed all over them and their expressions of joy. Aren't they cute? I guess that mirrors exactly how we want it to be. To have fun and joy in our lives.

Hi Denny, and thank you for recognizing the beauty found in love. Keep loving as you become the best person you can be. :-)

Denny Lyon 9 years agofrom Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA

Beauty from the Beauty! "Love is the process of becoming..." so true! It is amazing how many people stiff-arm love, confused and assuming it is something it is not. Love loves; it's that simple. Real love that is. You have learned so much and what a gift to others that you choose the courage to share. well done, my friend, well done!

SweetiePie 9 years agofrom Southern California, USA

Pictures of the girls with paint splashed all over them is so uninhibited. Sometimes I wish adults could just have fun like that and not take life so seriously, or at least be more joyous about certain things.

VioletSun 9 years agofrom Oregon/ Name: Marie

Thank you, Ripplemaker! :)

Author

Michelle Simtoco 9 years agofrom Cebu, Philippines

Hi Robyn, your honesty is very much appreciated. :-) It can be tough (I know that too well) but it gets better. And being aware of things is already a huge step. It's always good to have a support group (people who care enough to uplift and encourage), that helped me a lot too! Sending you my warmest regards. :-)

Author

Michelle Simtoco 9 years agofrom Cebu, Philippines

Hi VioletSun, I love your new avatar! :-) Many thanks for your constant support and encouragement. You are of the voices that uplifts me in many ways. I am deeply grateful. You are so right...once we realize that loving the self is not being vain we actually are honoring the divinity within us. And that in turn honors the One who created us. Keep loving my dear friend and share your light in your part of the world. :-)

Robyn S. 9 years agofrom So. Cal

Thank you for sharing your warm and inspiring thoughts. Iam going through a very hard time in my life and I am constantly working at loving myself through it all. It is especially hard when the people you love most in life shatter your love for them. It is hard to keep my thoughts positive but I try to focus on the good things and the people who are there for me with love and support.

All my best to you.

VioletSun 9 years agofrom Oregon/ Name: Marie

Michelle: You should take your hubs and put them in book form; its really that good and inspiring! Love is the only thing that truly matters in life because from love everything follows. Most folks think loving oneself is being vain- far from it. Its appreciating the wonder that we all are and capable of. If we think of how the body functions- that in itself is one the 7 wonders of the universe.

Thank you for being a presence in my life through your writings.

Author

Michelle Simtoco 9 years agofrom Cebu, Philippines

Hi Mike, truth is beautiful :) Thanks...

Mike the salesman 9 years agofrom birmingham alabama/sherwood oregon

Ripple! Beautiful! I(loved) it! i love the line &quot;love is why we exist&quot; thank you!

Author

Michelle Simtoco 9 years agofrom Cebu, Philippines

Hi G-Ma, let's never stop allowing love to heal us :-) Thank you for all the hugs you send my way. God bless you.

Hi Todd, it can be pretty uncomfortable at first LOL but after it would truly be freeing! :-)

Hi SweetiePie, surprise, surprise... (chuckles) You are most welcome. :-)

Hi MrMarmalade, having experienced all that, I know you understand this whole thing pretty well...I have much to learn from you dear sir. :-)

Hi Lori, it's pretty interesting when we start listening to our thoughts. They are just flying everywhere---past or future. LOL The challenge is to train ourselves to focus on the now. :-) Love now...not tomorrow but now. Thanks Lori for dropping by.

lori763 9 years agofrom SWFL

Hello,

Living in the present moment is key. This is hard to do when one is focused on the future. If one spends too much time in the future, one is getting robbed of the present.

MrMarmalade 9 years agofrom Sydney

Inspiring hub and well written .

Love is the seat of all foundation

As it was written Love your Neighbour as you love yourself.

I fell in love when I was about 8 and married the young lady latter on and have made the first 51 beautiful years

Thank you

SweetiePie 9 years agofrom Southern California, USA

What a wonderful and inspiring hub as you are known for :). I appreciate you including a link to mine, that was a surprise.

My wife did a seminar called "The Power of Change" and expressing your love, and feeling the love is way at the top of their agenda.

Funny how some people get so taken aback when you express that emotion.

Author

Michelle Simtoco 9 years agofrom Cebu, Philippines

Hi my big brother Bdazzler, do you know that you make me smile with the love that you often send my way? Thank you so much. :-)

Hi pariprashneno, you are very much welcome to speak your mind. I believe it's a process that we go through. I just find so much joy that my focus now have shifted. There are many beautiful and inspiring hubs in hubpages. May you enjoy discovering them. :-)

Merle Ann Johnson 9 years agofrom NW in the land of the Free

As always a wonder piece of work from a wonderful lady and human being...always so inspiring and thought provoking...and yes Love can move the world...Loved the video at the end also...you never seize to amaze me...G-ma :o) Hugs Thanks for being YOU

pariprashneno 9 years agofrom Kolkata, India

ripplemaker, i feel love in the core of my heart for this hubpage and you, the creator of this hub.

Truely speaking let me dare to speak my mind here - I love others when I can love myself and hate others when I cannot love me - as I feel always. Love gives me peace and make me feel myself loving as well as inspires me to live and grow in and with this beautiful world.

When love is there in this world why should we waste our time concentrating on the odds and negative sides at the cost of peace and harmony?

I do expect more loving hubpages like this one from you and other hubbers too. Best regards to you!

Author

Michelle Simtoco 9 years agofrom Cebu, Philippines

Hi Princesa, gratitude does allow us to experience a deeper kind of joy in our life. Your comment allows me to see your heart and I thank you for sharing that here. May love fill your days to overflowing. :-)

Hi Dayzeebee, I delight with you! The journey has been fraught with rocky paths but we have made it through. Yipee! You have given me enough space to grow and yet continually challenged me to be better. You have loved me tremendously and I am forever grateful. A big loving hug back to you. God bless you my dearest friend. :-)

Hi Countrywomen, we are all in the process of becoming and growing. And it is a beautiful thing. Wherever we are at the moment, it is okay. Just keep moving forward. Thanks for reading and commenting. :-)

BDazzler 9 years agofrom Gulf Coast, USA

Hello again little sister. This is a truly inspired hub. May the ripples of love go out from it around the world.

countrywomen 9 years agofrom Washington, USA

Michelle- Loving one self isn't necessarily bad. The reason I am saying not necessarily is for example if I think I am beautiful then that does give me a certain confidence. One has to proud of one self nothing wrong in that. Thinking high one self is often required.

But the problem arises when one thinks low of others. That is essentially the difference between being proud (maybe good for our confidence to think high of ourselves) and vain (not good to think low of others). A very fine line separates the two and the lines get blurred sometimes.

Great hub. Salamat for publishing it. Paalam.

dayzeebee 9 years agofrom Cebu, Philippines

Love it, love you, love God, love all! I am sooooo full of life and love now that I want to hug you tight and say congratulations for a beautiful journey to healing! You have been my guide, constant supporter, inspiration, trainer and beloved friend in this course of discovery and I am honored to have been handpicked by God to be your partner in healing. I know God is cheering for you at this very moment and I join Him in rejoicing and giving you honor. We are proud of you dear angel. You have grown indeed! Hug tight:)

Wendy Iturrizaga 9 years agofrom France

What a beautiful and inspiring hub, what a deep message to think about, specially during the Christmas holidays. How true that if we were to be thankful of what we have we would be happier than when we just moan about what we do not have.

I am not very religious, but I recognize that there is love all around us, if we are open to receive it and keen to give some love back.

This website uses cookies

As a user in the EEA, your approval is needed on a few things. To provide a better website experience, hubpages.com uses cookies (and other similar technologies) and may collect, process, and share personal data. Please choose which areas of our service you consent to our doing so.

This is used to display charts and graphs on articles and the author center. (Privacy Policy)

Google AdSense Host API

This service allows you to sign up for or associate a Google AdSense account with HubPages, so that you can earn money from ads on your articles. No data is shared unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)

This is used for a registered author who enrolls in the HubPages Earnings program and requests to be paid via PayPal. No data is shared with Paypal unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)

Facebook Login

You can use this to streamline signing up for, or signing in to your Hubpages account. No data is shared with Facebook unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)

Maven

This supports the Maven widget and search functionality. (Privacy Policy)

We may use remarketing pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to advertise the HubPages Service to people that have visited our sites.

Conversion Tracking Pixels

We may use conversion tracking pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to identify when an advertisement has successfully resulted in the desired action, such as signing up for the HubPages Service or publishing an article on the HubPages Service.

Statistics

Author Google Analytics

This is used to provide traffic data and reports to the authors of articles on the HubPages Service. (Privacy Policy)

Comscore

ComScore is a media measurement and analytics company providing marketing data and analytics to enterprises, media and advertising agencies, and publishers. Non-consent will result in ComScore only processing obfuscated personal data. (Privacy Policy)

Amazon Tracking Pixel

Some articles display amazon products as part of the Amazon Affiliate program, this pixel provides traffic statistics for those products (Privacy Policy)